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sleep.
16.—Every infant should sleep in a cot by itself. It is very
dangerous to allow an infant to sleep in the same bed with an older
person. Many children lose their lives every year by beir.g overlaid
by their mothers.
fire.
17.—No child should be left alone within reach of a lamp or
fire. Suitable fireguards can be obtained for a small cost. Clothes
should not be made of imflammable flannelette.
baby comforters.
18.- Comfoiters or dummies should not be used. They become
dirty, and thus cause sickness and diarrhcea. Their use also deforms
the mouth, and leads to growth at the back of the nose as the child
grows older.
eyesight.
19.—The eyes of a newly born baby should be very carefully
cleansed with clean warm water and a clean rag immediately after
birth. Should any redness of, or discharge from, the eyes come on,
you should immediately seek medical advice, carefully wiping and
washing the eyes by squeezing clean warm water from a clean rag
till the doctor comes. The rag should be thrown away after use, and
a new piece used each time. On no account drop milk or anything but
water into the eyes. Affections of the eyes in newly-born infants often
lead to blindness if neglected.
H. MEREDITH RICHARDS, M.D,
Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall, Croydon.